Fund a Farmer
Donation protected
PHOTO: Setting a solar light trap to capture and identify destructive pests.
"Teaching a man/woman to fish is all well and good, but if he/she can't come up with a decent rod and reel, what's the point? "
Anon.
I want to raise enough funds to provide backpack sprayers for close to 600 smallholders in 6 remote villages in Northern Senegal. That translates to 100 sprayers at a cost of $60 - $70 each. The sprayers will be shared for regular organic pest control treatments.
The smallholders - mostly women - grow eggplant, peppers, green beans, carrots, cabbage and cauliflower, Hibiscus, watermelon, tomatoes. Okra, potatoes, and onions. What doesn't end up on the table goes to the weekly market to supplement family income.
Why the sprayers?
I recently returned from the region, where I spent two weeks teaching growers preventive and organic pest control. Now, they have new knowledge and, believe me, they are eager to use it. So far, their only choice has been to contract for a once-a year chemical pesticide spray, which some years they can't afford, often doesn’t work, and is toxic to anyone that gets in the way – notably, children.
The organic solution is to put pest control back where it belongs, i.e in the hands of the villagers.
But, here is the problem:
With average family incomes less than $2000 per year, growers can barely make ends meet. They simply don't have the means to buy enough backpack sprayers for everyone to share.
I will transfer all funds to my volunteer organisation (a USAID sponsored NGO), who in turn will transfer the funds to their regional office in Northern Senegal, who will then arrange for purchase and delivery. No expenses will be deducted. I have already donated two backpack sprayers to get things started.
This is not charity. The sprayers are essential tools for proud, hardworking smallholders. They may be too proud to ask, but they are never too proud to learn. And they will not be too proud to say thank you for much needed assistance.
Please donate. Clearly, this means a lot to me. And if you donate, however little, I know it will mean a lot to you. I promise to keep you posted every step of the way.
"Teaching a man/woman to fish is all well and good, but if he/she can't come up with a decent rod and reel, what's the point? "
Anon.
I want to raise enough funds to provide backpack sprayers for close to 600 smallholders in 6 remote villages in Northern Senegal. That translates to 100 sprayers at a cost of $60 - $70 each. The sprayers will be shared for regular organic pest control treatments.
The smallholders - mostly women - grow eggplant, peppers, green beans, carrots, cabbage and cauliflower, Hibiscus, watermelon, tomatoes. Okra, potatoes, and onions. What doesn't end up on the table goes to the weekly market to supplement family income.
Why the sprayers?
I recently returned from the region, where I spent two weeks teaching growers preventive and organic pest control. Now, they have new knowledge and, believe me, they are eager to use it. So far, their only choice has been to contract for a once-a year chemical pesticide spray, which some years they can't afford, often doesn’t work, and is toxic to anyone that gets in the way – notably, children.
The organic solution is to put pest control back where it belongs, i.e in the hands of the villagers.
But, here is the problem:
With average family incomes less than $2000 per year, growers can barely make ends meet. They simply don't have the means to buy enough backpack sprayers for everyone to share.
I will transfer all funds to my volunteer organisation (a USAID sponsored NGO), who in turn will transfer the funds to their regional office in Northern Senegal, who will then arrange for purchase and delivery. No expenses will be deducted. I have already donated two backpack sprayers to get things started.
This is not charity. The sprayers are essential tools for proud, hardworking smallholders. They may be too proud to ask, but they are never too proud to learn. And they will not be too proud to say thank you for much needed assistance.
Please donate. Clearly, this means a lot to me. And if you donate, however little, I know it will mean a lot to you. I promise to keep you posted every step of the way.
Organizer
Ken Kilner
Organizer
Havana, FL
